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Maximus
“Youstillhaven’t apologized?”
Gianni gaped at me from the comfortable armchair she had angled to face the couch. I was pretty sure it was the same chair she had since she moved into this bright, cheerful condo about a year after starting her investigation business. It was the one piece that didn’t fit, but she claimed it was her “thinking chair,” and she loved it too much to give it up.
“I still don’t get it. What the fuck I’m supposed to apologize for?” My words came out sharp.
I didn’t give a fuck whether Tina had money. I had more than I needed in a lifetime. And she already knew I thought she was beautiful, didn’t she? I’d told her a million times.
“You’re a lost cause. A sorry, sad, lost cause,” Gianni said softly, shaking her head as she stared at me. “How can a guy as smart as you be so damn stupid?”
“You’re really helping, Gin,” I shot back. “Thanks so much.”
I shoved to my feet and paced the open space of her condo. Despite its expansiveness, I still felt caged in.
“I can’t believe she threw me over for that bastard,” I muttered. “He’s the ex she told me about—treated her shit. Why would she do that?”
“Well, you said she introduced him as a colleague. Maybe itwaspurely business.” Gianni lifted a brow.
“You didn’t see how he looked at her.” I paused at the windows that covered most of the western wall, offering a fantastic view of the horizon. I crossed my arms over my chest. The rage burned hot and bright again every time I remembered the way Cecil had let his eyes glint over Tina when she hadn’t noticed. “He wants her back.”
“Then I guess you need to show her you’re the better man.” She paused, then added, “Youarethe better man, James. You just need to man up and prove it—to both of you. Apologize, honey.”
* * *
You are the better man,James.
My sister’s words rang in my head an hour later as I sat in my car in the private underground parking lot provided for members of the Black Star.
I didn’t know why I was here.
Tina’s comment about going to myclubhad gotten under my skin. And Gianni’s words about me being the better man had rubbed me the wrong way.
I’d never thought about that before—being the better man. Caring about people came with complications I didn’t want.
Until Tina.
“Shit.” I climbed out of the car and strode to the private entrance, exclusively for VIP members. One of the club’s security staff opened it for me while I was still several feet away.
“Hello, Maximus. Welcome to the Black Star.”
I gave a quick nod and kept walking, right past the club’s concierge. She’d arranged many pleasantries over the years since I joined the Black Star, but I wasn’t in the mood for company.
Not unless it was Tina.
You still haven’t apologized?
Swearing, I pushed into the lounge and went straight for the gleaming black bar. Lila was staffing it, dressed in an elegant black dress that fell in a straight column to the floor. Her lips, red as a rose, curved in a warm smile when she saw me.
“The usual, Maximus?”
I nodded and took a high-top chair at the bar rather than a booth. In a booth, one of the subs might approach, and that was the last thing I wanted. There was an unwritten rule that those at Lila’s bar weren’t looking for a companion. A rule I rarely took advantage of, but tonight, it was just what I wanted.
Putting a glass of Glenfiddich 25-year scotch in front of me, Lila cocked her head to the side and considered me. “You look like a man with a lot on his mind.”
“Do I?” Taking the glass, I swirled the scotch, then took a sip.
Lila pursed her lips. “Hmmm. I can’t say I’ve ever seen you like this. Is everything okay?”